On Darlaston Towns return to the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division after a six-year enforced absence, and following a a long trip to Worcestershire based Pershore Town , Darlaston return back to the Black Country with a well-earned point after a 1-1 draw against one of the Divisions favourites from promotion..

Manager Andy Parkes had to juggle his pack, after opening day availability issues with a number of players on holiday and attending weddings. The strength of this seasons squad paid dividends in the opening game.

Pershore had the better of the opening minutes, Darlo’s keeper keeping them in the game with two saves, the second was outstanding.

Pershore opened their seasons account in the 40th minute, after a hotly disputed free-kick 25 yards out, Whittaker saved and parried at his near post, Hussain was following up and clipped the ball into an empty net to give Pershore the lead.

On the stroke of half-time Darlaston equalised, Sam Causton overlapping a pace, crossed to the near post, Reis Nadat received the ball and produced aback heel which found the back of the net at the near post in at the near post levelling the score at 1-1. Seconds after the game restarted the Referee blew for the half-time interval.

The second half was very much the same as the first, two well matched sides playing out a very tight affair, neither side having any sustained amount of pressure or creating any clear cut chances. So the game finished at 1-1

Darlaston return to The Paycare Ground with a point, before the start of the game they would have been pleased with the result. Both teams will have regrets and think they should have walked away from the game with all three points, most games like this that are on a knife edge are usually settled by a mistake, today there were non, so the points were shared.